Shabbat Shalom 2/26/2010

KINDERGARTEN TECHNOLOGY NEWS
The Kindergarteners are enjoying their weekly computer lab time where they are busy working on the Kid Pix and Super Star Network programs. The computer curriculum is integrated into all areas of study - Language Arts, Science, Math and Social Studies. Each week we introduce an Alphafriend, such as Sammy Seal, Mimi Mouse, etc. which reinforces the children's phonics skills. They find pictures and type words that begin with that sound. In addition, we are learning our basic computer skills, such as logging in, our keyboard, upper case and lower case letters, and logging off. Our Super Star Network program focuses on reading, phonics and math. The program is differentiated and the children are challenged to move up to a higher level of skills.

First Graders are integrating science and technology with the Stationary Studio program where they write about their favorite season and the weather and activities related to that season. Some are writing Presidential speeches that they will be reciting for their fellow students. Additionally, the students are using Wordle, a word design program, to increase their keyboarding skills, enrich their subject content vocabulary and create unique word art.

Digital photography has played a large part in the lives of the Second Grade students. They started the year with a Digital Storytelling Project "What We See at TVT" which explored the symbolism of the TVT Lower School campus. They were able to see how the campus' buildings and features reflect Judaic history and culture. They have also been using their peer photographs to learn how to edit digital images. Then they created a version of the "Flat Stanley Project" called "Flat Levi". Their Levis visited a public school in Los Angeles and a Jewish school in Florida. Meanwhile, our kids took the other schools' "Stanleys" on a tour of TVT. They are also working on a technology-charged science project on Ladybugs. Their digital drawings and word processing skills have created a Ladybug quilt, a Ladybug game, a Ladybug video, and a Ladybug book. They even created an animated walking Ladybug!

Animation has been the focus of the 3rd Grade students this year as they have been virtually traveling around the USA researching the Symbols of America. They have been animating the buildings, monuments and animals that represent our country and exporting them as Quicktime movies to use in their PowerPoint presentations. They used their digital drawing expertise to illustrate the lyrics of This Land is Your Land and turned the drawings into a book and a quilt. We sent a copy of the book to President Obama and are anxiously waiting his reply.  In 3rd Grade, students also earn their Internet Driver's License.

Lights, camera, ACTION! The TVT 4th Graders have been up to only good deeds. They have been using a popular technology called the Flip Video camera to video tape themselves giving book reviews. These videos will be uploaded onto a flash drive and then sent to a school in Santa Ana with all of the books that have been reviewed! This sharing of knowledge gives books to kids in need, and to our kids the opportunity to give back to others their age.    This cutting edge technology allows communication with others without leaving the classroom.

These techies have also begun to explore online discussions by using a popular social networking site called Voice Thread. This site allows students to have conversations around media such as videos, images, documents, or presentations. A voice thread can securely capture and hold a group discussion on one single page. These eager 4th graders have analyzed images and even poetry for themes and deeper meaning through conversations held in voice thread. Next, the kids will add video responses to their ions.  The students love it! They work at their own pace and level of understanding and the level of engagement is tremendous!!

After they researched all the interesting things that happen "Every Minute on Earth", the 4th graders have also been animating the "Dynamic Planet" of Earth. Their animations have included tornadoes, hurricanes, erosion, plate tectonics, and more. Next, they'll try clay animation of a food chain and an exploration of California's agricultural crops!

In their final year at the Lower School, the 5th Grade students used Flip Video footage to create iMovie projects about protecting the ocean. They had the tough job of editing all the footage down to a one-minute PSA designed to motivate people to take better care of our ocean and it's creatures. Then, they left the water planet to explore clay animation with a trip through the Solar System! Working in teams, they created characters and a spaceship and "flew" on their journey from the Sun through the asteroid belt and all the way to Neptune. The pairs had to carefully take digital photos and then move their characters just a bit and take another picture. It takes them between 500 and 700 pictures to travel all the way!

Back on Earth, the 5th graders also created a quilt for Tu B'Shevat on the Beauty and Joy of Trees. These digital drawings and words will also form the basis of a video production on trees and a book. Their final video project will be a reflection of the years they have spent at TVT and what they will remember most.

All Grades continue to improve their word processing, typing, and digital drawing skills as well as their math skills with the ST Math (JiJi Math) application. They're all practicing navigating between applications, connecting to servers and saving correctly. Several of our students' individual and class projects have been entered into student competitions at the OC Youth Expo, the Schools Agriculture and Nutrition Fair and the KOCE Student Media Festival. We wish them all the best of luck, but they are already winners!

This has been a very exciting and "techie" year at TVT. What's been the best part? Why, everything, of course!